Abstract: A coaxial stabilizing and sealing catheter provides increased support to a guide catheter that is seated in an ostium of a branch artery by extending through and out of a distal end of the guide catheter and anchoring in position within the branch artery that is being treated. The stabilizing and sealing catheter includes, as part of a relatively flexible distal section, a balloon that locks a distal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter in place to provide support to therapeutic devices that are introduced and further seals the branch artery to prevent blood from entering the branch artery. A sealing cuff at a proximal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter provides a seal between an exterior of the stabilizing and sealing catheter and an interior of the guide catheter. In addition, a fixing mechanism is utilized to lock the guide catheter in place to exchange therapeutic devices.

Abstract: A coaxial stabilizing and sealing catheter provides increased support to a guide catheter that is seated in an ostium of a branch artery by extending through and out of a distal end of the guide catheter and anchoring in position within the vessel that is being treated. The stabilizing and sealing catheter includes, as part of a relatively flexible distal section, a balloon that locks the distal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter in place to provide support to the therapeutic devices that are introduced and further seals the artery to prevent blood from entering the artery. A sealing cuff at a proximal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter provides a seal between the exterior of the stabilizing and sealing catheter and the interior of the guide catheter. In addition, a fixing mechanism it utilized to lock the guide catheter in place to exchange therapeutic devices.

Abstract: A coaxial stabilizing and sealing catheter provides increased support to a guide catheter that is seated in an ostium of a branch artery by extending through and out of a distal end of the guide catheter and anchoring in position within the vessel that is being treated. The stabilizing and sealing catheter includes, as part of a relatively flexible distal section, a balloon that locks the distal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter in place to provide support to the therapeutic devices that are introduced and further seals the artery to prevent blood from entering the artery. A sealing cuff at a proximal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter provides a seal between the exterior of the stabilizing and sealing catheter and the interior of the guide catheter. In addition, a fixing mechanism it utilized to lock the guide catheter in place to exchange therapeutic devices.

Abstract: A coaxial stabilizing and sealing catheter provides increased support to a guide catheter that is seated in an ostium of a branch artery by extending through and out of a distal end of the guide catheter and anchoring in position within the vessel that is being treated. The stabilizing and sealing catheter includes, as part of a relatively flexible distal section, a balloon that locks the distal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter in place to provide support to the therapeutic devices that are introduced and further seals the artery to prevent blood from entering the artery. A sealing cuff at a proximal end of the stabilizing and sealing catheter provides a seal between the exterior of the stabilizing and sealing catheter and the interior of the guide catheter. In addition, a fixing mechanism it utilized to lock the guide catheter in place to exchange therapeutic devices.

Abstract: A coaxial guidewire for use in accessing smaller vessels within a patient's body, consists of an inner core wire and an outer hollow wire. The distal end of the inner core wire tapers and supports a spring coil. The core wire, including the spring coil, fits within a 25-gauge needle that is used to locate an artery of the patient. When the needle is removed over the inner core wire, the outer hollow wire, having a distal end that tapers to the outer diameter of the spring coil, fits over the inner wire and is advanced until the distal end of the outer wire meets the spring coil of the core wire. A dilator and introducer sheath combination may then be fed over the assembled coaxial guidewire. When the distal end of the sheath is in the desired position, the dilator and the coaxial guidewire are removed.

Abstract: A coaxial guidewire for use in accessing smaller vessels within a patient's body, consists of an inner core wire and an outer hollow wire. The distal end of the inner core wire tapers and supports a spring coil. The core wire, including the spring coil, fits within a 25-gauge needle that is used to locate an artery of the patient. When the needle is removed over the inner core wire, the outer hollow wire, having a distal end that tapers to the outer diameter of the spring coil, fits over the inner wire and is advanced until the distal end of the outer wire meets the spring coil of the core wire. A dilator and introducer sheath combination may then be fed over the assembled coaxial guidewire. When the distal end of the sheath is in the desired position, the dilator and the coaxial guidewire are removed.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and controllably expansive tool tip for thrombus removal. According to one embodiment, the controllably expansive thrombus removal tool tip (e.g., a screen and/or mesh) may be collapsed by pushing on an actuating handle, and then advanced into a balloon or guiding catheter until a distal end of device has reached the thrombus. The tool tip is then expanded by pulling the actuating handle backward; and the radially extended (expanded) tool tip is moved to receive and substantially surround (e.g., encompass) the thrombus. The tool tip may then be collapsed again by pushing on the actuating handle to engage (tighten around) the thrombus, and the device may be withdrawn from a patient's body through the vascular system with the thrombus engaged by the tool tip.

Abstract: This invention provides a small diameter snare device and device for thrombus removal consisting of a hollow, elongate, thin-walled outer sheath. A single central core wire extends through the entire length of the sheath. The outer diameter of the core wire is sized close to the inner diameter of the sheath while allowing for axial sliding, in order to maximize the support to the body portion of the snare device. A tool tip or “capture segment” at the distal end of the sheath and core wire can be controllably expanded to engage a thrombus and remove the thrombus from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A composite guidewire includes a central core that is made out of a “linear elastic” material, which at body temperature does not exhibit a yield point and/or change phase when subjected to the range of stresses that are common to guidewires. A core extension, which is made out of stiffer material, such as stainless steel, attaches to the central core through a coupling tube, which may be made of super elastic material, linear elastic material, or stainless steel. The coupling tube fits over a tapered distal end of the core extension and a proximal end of the central core that may but need not be tapered. The proximal end of the coupling tube abuts the tapered section of the core extension where the section has an outer diameter that is approximately the same size as the inner diameter of the coupling tube, and the tube is thus held against axial movement.

Abstract: A device and method for treating tissue at a treatment site. The device and method include supplying controlled energy to a heating portion of the device positioned within a tissue wall at the treatment site. The size of the heating portion and energy supplied provides for ablation of the tissue to form a cavity within the tissue wall without ablating the surfaces of the tissue wall. Treatment fluid can then be supplied through the device to the cavity to supplement growth of blood vessels or retard such growth at the treatment site. The device can also be used to create an injury zone at a treatment site without ablating tissue, wherein the injury zone can be injected with treatment fluid. The device and method has use anywhere within the body, especially in the regions of the heart.

Abstract: A small-diameter surgical snare device that is capable of fitting through existing balloon or guiding catheters includes metal tubing along a section of a core wire. The distal end of the core wire connects to one or more snare wires that form the snaring loop. The distal end of the snaring loop supports a radiopaque coil or collar that makes the end of the loop visible under fluoroscopy. The snaring loop may consist of one or two wires or an overlap of a tapered end of the core wire. A radiopaque coil is attached to a distal end of the metal tubing, to provide flexibility and visibility to a distal region of the device. Alternatively, a polyimide tube and a short radiopaque marker may be included at a distal end of the metal tubing. The polyimide tube fits inside of the metal tubing, to add strength and torsion control to the distal region of the device, while the radiopaque marker adds visibility.

Abstract: A composite guidewire includes a solid central core of super elastic material and one or more core overlays of non-super elastic material. A coupling tube fits over the proximal end of the core, and a coil, which may be radiopaque, fits over the distal end of the core and attaches to a distal end of the coupling tube. A flat safety wire that is positioned between the distal portion of the coupling tube and the core also attaches to the distal end of the tube. The safety wire extends the length of the coil and attaches to both the distal and the proximal ends of the coil. The guidewire's proximal end may be a non-super elastic core extension shaped at its distal end to overlap and mechanically inter-lock with a proximal end of the core and the coil and safety wire may extend beyond the distal end of the core.

Abstract: Implements, particularly medical instruments, formed at least in part of elongated polymer members, exhibit high torque fidelity after processing with tension, heat, and twisting. The processing orients the polymer in generally helical paths so that torque imposed at the proximal end can be transmitted to the distal end without substantial whipping, even if the implement follows a long and tortuous pathway. Applications include medical guidewires, catheters, and driveshafts.

Abstract: A composite guidewire includes a solid central core of super elastic material and one or more core overlays of non-super elastic material. More specifically, a coupling tube fits over the proximal end of the core, and a coil, which may be radiopaque, fits over the distal end of the core and attaches to a distal end of the coupling tube. A flat safety wire that is positioned between the distal portion of the coupling tube and the core also attaches to the distal end of the tube. The safety wire extends the length of the coil and attaches to both the distal and the proximal ends of the coil. The coil, the coupling tube and the safety wire, all being of non-super elastic materials, can all be attached to one another by soldering, brazing, welding or adhesives. The coupling tube may also be crimped at various locations along its length, to prevent relative rotational and axial movements of the tube and the super elastic core.

Abstract: A small-diameter surgical snare device that is capable of fitting through existing balloon or guiding catheters includes metal tubing along a section of a core wire. The distal end of the core wire connects to one or more snare wires that form the snaring loop. The distal end of the snaring loop supports a radiopaque coil or collar that makes the end of the loop visible under fluoroscopy. The snaring loop may consist of one or two wires or an overlap of a tapered end of the core wire. A radiopaque coil is attached to a distal end of the metal tubing, to provide flexibility and visibility to a distal region of the device. Alternatively, a polyimide tube and a short radiopaque marker may be included at a distal end of the metal tubing. The polyimide tube fits inside of the metal tubing, to add strength and torsion control to the distal region of the device, while the radiopaque marker adds visibility.

Abstract: Implements, particularly medical instruments, formed at least in part of elongated polymer members, exhibit high torque fidelity after processing with tension, heat, and twisting. The processing orients the polymer in generally helical paths so that torque imposed at the proximal end can be transmitted to the distal end without substantial whipping, even if the implement follows a long and tortuous pathway. Applications include medical guidewires, catheters, and driveshafts.

Abstract: A guidewire adapted to be inserted into a vascular vessel or into a catheter that is to be inserted into a vascular vessel or the like. The guidewire comprises a coil of flexible radiotransparent wire having a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal section is formed of a coil of wire having abutting turns and distal section is formed by the same coil of wire with the turns of wire being spaced from each other. A layer of radiopaque material of predetermined length is disposed in a predetermined location on the distal section, the interior of the layer being interstitially disposed within the outer surface of the coil. A hemispherical tip is disposed at the distal end of the distal section. A small braze is made at the juncture between the proximal section and the distal section to prevent spreading of the coils from the abutting relationship in the proximal end of said guidewire.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly for measuring the size of occlusions in blood vessels which includes a guidewire having a flexible, distal end disposable in a blood vessel. The guidewire has a core wire disposed within it which extends to the distal tip. A linear array of radiopaque markers is disposed adjacent the distal tip of the core wire. The markers are spaced from each other at predetermined distances, whereby to enable the user to accurately measure the size and diameter of occlusions in blood vessels using radiological techniques.

Abstract: Dilation balloon devices that employ a metal tube for introduction of inflation fluid from distal end into a balloon have special features that enable introduction through very small passages. A distal core wire is shown forming part of a guide wire extending into the distal end of the tube. The core wire is fixed at the distal end of the tube, and has a proximal extension bridging across a fluid opening formed in the wall of the tube. The wire extension serves to transfer stress from the distal end of the device, across the fluid opening, to adjacent proximal portions of the tube, to prevent stress build-up at the opening that might lead to fracture of the tube during bending. In various embodiments, the device includes a bushing seal at the distal end of the balloon; a helical coil surrounds part or all of the length of the device, with strategic tapers along its length; a shrink tubing is used rather than a coil; and a pair of cross-wound multifilar coils are employed.

Abstract: A guide catheter having a tubular body with a wire-braided Teflon core and a polyurethane jacket. The distal end of the jacket is removed from the core, and a soft polyurethane tip is applied to the core over the region where the jacket has been removed. The tip overlaps the core for approximately two millimeters and extends distally approximately two millimeters beyond the distal end of the core. The tip may be applied to the core as a separate tube bonded to it or be built up on the core by repeatedly dipping the top in a polyurethane slurry, or be molded onto the distal end of the core.